Anatomia ecológica e potencial econômico da madeira de espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica, Serra da Jiboia, Bahia, Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of wood anatomy of the Atlantic Forest woody species, discussing their ecological/functional value, in addition to qualifying these species for energy generation and/or papermaking, based on derived values from measurements of the fibers and the bulk density. Serra da Jiboia is one of the areas indicated as priority for conservation of the Atlantic Forest and considered of extreme biological importance in terms of vegetation. Three to ten samples of 25 species were collected in the Serra da Jiboia, Elísio Medrado, Bahia. The portion from 1 to 3 cm from the bark was considered for making a macerate, histological slides, and measurement of the bulk density. The results are shown in two chapters and two appendices. In chapter 1, the existence of ecological trends for the Atlantic Forest of Serra da Jiboia was examined. The high frequency for growth rings boundaries distinct, diffuse porosity, absence of vessel arrangement, simultaneous presence of multiple and solitary vessels, simple perforation plates, tangential diameter of vessel larger than 350 m, nonseptate fibers, fiber length between 900-1600 m, fibers with simple to minutely bordered pits, rays per millimeter: 4-12, rays and/or axial elements irregularly storied and presence of inorganic inclusions. Most of these characteristics were interpreted as ecological trends for the Atlantic Forest of Serra da Jiboia, based on an analysis of the literature about their functional meanings and their correlation with the environmental characteristics of this environment. A smaller amount was assessed as arising from general evolutionary trends for the angiosperms. The conduction area, mesomorphy and vulnerability index, showed wide variation. More integrated studies involving wood anatomy which consider other aspects of the plants should be developed for a better understanding of the ecologic trends as well as its contrasting variations. In chapter 2, in which the anatomical and physical qualification of the wood for paper and/or energy production was made, four derived values – wall fraction, flexibility coefficient, Runkel ratio and slenderness ratio – and bulk density were measured. None of the species displayed all of the derived values optimal for paper production, although if each derived value is considered separately many of them could be qualified for this purpose. Most of the species were considered appropriate for power generation because they exhibit high wall fraction, Runkel ratio and high bulk density, and low flexibility coefficient. Aspidosperma discolor, Helicostylis tomentosa, Miconia amoena and Myrsine guianensis stand out from the rest. In conclusion, Serra da Jiboia proves to be a potential area for sustainable management studies of economically viable timbers.